In response to the proposed Qur’an burning on 9-11: “Our statement is in the form of the proactive work that we do especially now with 9-11 coming up which includes outreach, interfaith work, and dialogue. Essentially representing who we truly are, which is patriotic, freedom loving Muslims and Americans. That’s really our response to this sort-of hate mongering and campaign of misinformation.” –Ahmed Rehab

In response to the proposed Qur’an burning on 9-11: “Our statement is in the form of the proactive work that we do especially now with 9-11 coming up which includes outreach, interfaith work, and dialogue. Essentially representing who we truly are, which is patriotic, freedom loving Muslims and Americans. That’s really our response to this sort-of hate mongering and campaign of misinformation.” –Ahmed Rehab

Initial reaction to the cancellation was more relief than happiness. “God works in wonderful ways, and it’s gotten people to talk about Islamophobia,” said Ahmed Rehab, spokesperson with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Mr. Rehab added: “The burning of the Koran is a serious offense…. You won’t find a Muslim burning a Bible or a Torah.” The spokesman said, “Frankly, there’s no good reason to burn anybody’s sacred text. If you don’t like it, then debate it, but don’t burn it.”

Initial reaction to the cancellation was more relief than happiness. “God works in wonderful ways, and it’s gotten people to talk about Islamophobia,” said Ahmed Rehab, spokesperson with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Mr. Rehab added: “The burning of the Koran is a serious offense…. You won’t find a Muslim burning a Bible or a Torah.” The spokesman said, “Frankly, there’s no good reason to burn anybody’s sacred text. If you don’t like it, then debate it, but don’t burn it.”

"There are radicals in every community as we can see with this guy. He obviously doesn't represent the Christian base, and we have people who don't represent our faith but claim to as well," said Ahmed Rehab. "More and more, we are seeing extremists from both sides hijacking the discourse."

As a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf herself, Syed is particularly concerned with the misconceptions of Muslim women who choose to cover their hair and dress modestly. "After 9/11, I noticed people were confused, not wanting to learn but just going on what they see in the media," said Syed, 36. "The impression it leaves is … that Muslim women are being oppressed, suppressed, abused and forced on — everything that Islam does not stand for. Islam respects women.

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab talks to CBS news about "Burn A Koran Day." "When somebody does something that is this insane, the best response is to ignore them. Except the problem is that he is getting so much media attention that it is now a point of national debate," says Rehab.

CAIR-Chicago's Ahmed Rehab talks to CBS news about "Burn A Koran Day." "When somebody does something that is this insane, the best response is to ignore them. Except the problem is that he is getting so much media attention that it is now a point of national debate," says Rehab.

Mustapha is the well-known leader at one of the nation's most popular mosques and is a national figure in American Islam. So considering his civic stature, it isn't surprising Imam Mustapha was invited by FBI officials in Chicago to attend this summer's Citizens' Academy with about 25 other local notables.

Ahmed Rehab debates guests on Fox Business' Money Rocks regarding the rise of Islamophobia in America as seen by recent attacks against several mosques. Rehab and conservative commentator Bo Dietel also debate the merits of building a mosque in lower Manhattan, near Ground Zero.

"The fear is that Muslims cannot take their place in American life without harassment or subjugation or being seen as being involved with some conspiracy theory," says Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"The fear is that Muslims cannot take their place in American life without harassment or subjugation or being seen as being involved with some conspiracy theory," says Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

CAIR-Chicago filed a discrimination complaint in federal court this week against the Illinois State Police (ISP) on behalf of Kifah Mustapha, a leading Muslim religious leader (Imam) based in Chicago. The ISP revoked his chaplaincy position citing a dubious Internet report attacking him. The report was written by Steven Emerson, an anti-Muslim blogger notorious for fighting against American Muslim civic participation. See media coverage of the lawsuitHERE.

"Some Muslim leaders warned against jumping to conclusions. "'If it's a case of just cell phones and antacid, well, that's really not good enough,' said Ahmad Rehab, executive director of the Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations."

"Some Muslim leaders warned against jumping to conclusions. "'If it's a case of just cell phones and antacid, well, that's really not good enough,' said Ahmad Rehab, executive director of the Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations."

Ahmed Rehab says the position was revoked because of a false anti-Muslim blog attacking Kifah. "There was nothing that would prevent him from fulfilling this role. Except for the fact that somebody out there wished to smear him and the ISP was either too lazy or incompetent to actually sift through the smears and figure out that they were smears. And instead decided to drop him to avoid any controversy. That's unacceptable," said Rehab.

"Constitutionally a person can only be held responsible for their own activities, their own conduct," said CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham."And if Imam Kifah has never committed a crime - then what is he being denied for? That's an answer we never received from the Illinois State Police."

"Constitutionally a person can only be held responsible for their own activities, their own conduct," said CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham."And if Imam Kifah has never committed a crime - then what is he being denied for? That's an answer we never received from the Illinois State Police."

In December, community and religious groups hailed Mustapha's appointment as a nod to the growing diversity among the agency's nearly 2,000 officers. Since 2002, Mustapha has been an imam and director at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, one of the Chicago area's oldest and largest mosques. He also served as a designated chaplain with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, helping to counsel Hurricane Katrina victims.

The lawsuit filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Chicago chapter alleges discrimination based on race, religion and national origin. The suit also says Mustapha was denied his First Amendment right to freedom of association, which bars the government from imposing guilt by association. It calls for Mustapha's immediate reinstatement.